Encoder, decoder, encoding method, decoding method, and recording medium

ABSTRACT

An encoder that; obtains two prediction images by performing motion compensation using two motion vectors; obtains a gradient value of each of pixels included in the two prediction images; derives a local motion estimation value for each of sub-blocks based on the pixel value and the gradient value of each of the pixels, the sub-blocks being obtained by partitioning the current block; and generates a final prediction image for the current block using the pixel value and the gradient value of each of the pixels, and the local motion estimation value derived for each of the sub-blocks. Each of the pixels in the two prediction images is interpolated with sub-pixel accuracy, and a reference range for the interpolation is included in a normal reference range that is referred to for motion compensation for the current block in normal inter prediction performed without using the local motion estimation value.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/660,071 filed on Oct. 22, 2019, which is a U.S. continuation application of PCT International Patent Application Number PCT/JP2018/016515 filed on Apr. 24, 2018, claiming the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/490,872 filed on Apr. 27, 2017, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an encoder, a decoder, an encoding method, a decoding method, and a recording medium.

2. Description of the Related Art

The video coding standards known as High-Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) is standardized by the Joint Collaborative Team on Video Coding (JCT-VC) as disclosed in H.265 (ISO/IEC 23008-2 HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding)).

SUMMARY

An encoder according to one aspect of the present invention encodes a current block in a current picture, and includes a processor and memory. Using the memory, the processor: derives two motion vectors indicating two prediction blocks included in two reference pictures referred to for the current block; obtains two prediction images from the two reference pictures by performing motion compensation using the two motion vectors; obtains a gradient value of each of pixels included in the two prediction images, based on a pixel value of each of the pixels; derives a local motion estimation value for each of sub-blocks based on the pixel value and the gradient value of each of the pixels, the sub-blocks being obtained by partitioning the current block; and generates a final prediction image for the current block using the pixel value and the gradient value of each of the pixels, and the local motion estimation value derived for each of the sub-blocks. Each of the pixels in the two prediction images is interpolated with sub-pixel accuracy, and a reference range for the interpolation is included in a normal reference range that is referred to for motion compensation for the current block in normal inter prediction performed without using the local motion estimation value.

General or specific aspects of the present disclosure may be realized as a system, method, integrated circuit, computer program, computer-readable medium such as a CD-ROM, or any given combination thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

These and other objects, advantages and features of the disclosure will become apparent from the following description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that illustrate a specific embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an encoder according to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 2 illustrates one example of block splitting according to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 3 is a chart indicating transform basis functions for each transform type;

FIG. 4A illustrates one example of a filter shape used in ALF;

FIG. 4B illustrates another example of a filter shape used in ALF;

FIG. 4C illustrates another example of a filter shape used in ALF;

FIG. 5A illustrates 67 intra prediction modes used in intra prediction;

FIG. 5B is a flow chart for illustrating an outline of a prediction image correction process performed via OBMC processing;

FIG. 5C is a conceptual diagram for illustrating an outline of a prediction image correction process performed via OBMC processing;

FIG. 5D illustrates one example of FRUC;

FIG. 6 is for illustrating pattern matching (bilateral matching) between two blocks along a motion trajectory;

FIG. 7 is for illustrating pattern matching (template matching) between a template in the current picture and a block in a reference picture;

FIG. 8 is for illustrating a model assuming uniform linear motion;

FIG. 9A is for illustrating deriving a motion vector of each sub-block based on motion vectors of neighboring blocks;

FIG. 9B is for illustrating an outline of a process for deriving a motion vector via merge mode;

FIG. 9C is a conceptual diagram for illustrating an outline of DMVR processing;

FIG. 9D is for illustrating an outline of a prediction image generation method using a luminance correction process performed via LIC processing;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a decoder according to Embodiment 1;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating inter prediction according to Embodiment 2;

FIG. 12 is a conceptual view for explaining the inter prediction according to Embodiment 2;

FIG. 13 is a conceptual view for explaining examples of reference ranges for a motion compensation filter and a gradient filter according to Embodiment 2;

FIG. 14 is a conceptual view for explaining examples of reference ranges for a motion compensation filter according to Variation 1 of Embodiment 2;

FIG. 15 is a conceptual view for explaining examples of reference ranges for a gradient filter according to Variation 1 of Embodiment 2;

FIG. 16 illustrates pattern examples of pixels to be referred to in the derivation of a local motion estimation value according to Variation 2 of Embodiment 2;

FIG. 17 illustrates an overall configuration of a content providing system for implementing a content distribution service;

FIG. 18 illustrates one example of an encoding structure in scalable encoding;

FIG. 19 illustrates one example of an encoding structure in scalable encoding;

FIG. 20 illustrates an example of a display screen of a web page;

FIG. 21 illustrates an example of a display screen of a web page;

FIG. 22 illustrates one example of a smartphone; and

FIG. 23 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a smartphone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

Note that the embodiments described below each show a general or specific example. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, the arrangement and connection of the components, steps, order of the steps, etc. that are indicated in the following embodiments are mere examples, and therefore are not intended to limit the scope of the claims Therefore, among the components in the following embodiments, those not recited in any of the independent claims defining the broadest inventive concepts are described as optional components.

Embodiment 1

First, an outline of Embodiment 1 will be presented. Embodiment 1 is one example of an encoder and a decoder to which the processes and/or configurations presented in subsequent description of aspects of the present disclosure are applicable. Note that Embodiment 1 is merely one example of an encoder and a decoder to which the processes and/or configurations presented in the description of aspects of the present disclosure are applicable. The processes and/or configurations presented in the description of aspects of the present disclosure can also be implemented in an encoder and a decoder different from those according to Embodiment 1.

When the processes and/or configurations presented in the description of aspects of the present disclosure are applied to Embodiment 1, for example, any of the following may be performed.

(1) regarding the encoder or the decoder according to Embodiment 1, among components included in the encoder or the decoder according to Embodiment 1, substituting a component corresponding to a component presented in the description of aspects of the present disclosure with a component presented in the description of aspects of the present disclosure;

(2) regarding the encoder or the decoder according to Embodiment 1, implementing discretionary changes to functions or implemented processes performed by one or more components included in the encoder or the decoder according to Embodiment 1, such as addition, substitution, or removal, etc., of such functions or implemented processes, then substituting a component corresponding to a component presented in the description of aspects of the present disclosure with a component presented in the description of aspects of the present disclosure;

(3) regarding the method implemented by the encoder or the decoder according to Embodiment 1, implementing discretionary changes such as addition of processes and/or substitution, removal of one or more of the processes included in the method, and then substituting a process corresponding to a process presented in the description of aspects of the present disclosure with a process presented in the description of aspects of the present disclosure;

(4) combining one or more components included in the encoder or the decoder according to Embodiment 1 with a component presented in the description of aspects of the present disclosure, a component including one or more functions included in a component presented in the description of aspects of the present disclosure, or a component that implements one or more processes implemented by a component presented in the description of aspects of the present disclosure;

(5) combining a component including one or more functions included in one or more components included in the encoder or the decoder according to Embodiment 1, or a component that implements one or more processes implemented by one or more components included in the encoder or the decoder according to Embodiment 1 with a component presented in the description of aspects of the present disclosure, a component including one or more functions included in a component presented in the description of aspects of the present disclosure, or a component that implements one or more processes implemented by a component presented in the description of aspects of the present disclosure;

(6) regarding the method implemented by the encoder or the decoder according to Embodiment 1, among processes included in the method, substituting a process corresponding to a process presented in the description of aspects of the present disclosure with a process presented in the description of aspects of the present disclosure; and

(7) combining one or more processes included in the method implemented by the encoder or the decoder according to Embodiment 1 with a process presented in the description of aspects of the present disclosure.

Note that the implementation of the processes and/or configurations presented in the description of aspects of the present disclosure is not limited to the above examples. For example, the processes and/or configurations presented in the description of aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented in a device used for a purpose different from the moving picture/picture encoder or the moving picture/picture decoder disclosed in Embodiment 1. Moreover, the processes and/or configurations presented in the description of aspects of the present disclosure may be independently implemented. Moreover, processes and/or configurations described in different aspects may be combined.

[Encoder Outline]

First, the encoder according to Embodiment 1 will be outlined. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of encoder 100 according to Embodiment 1. Encoder 100 is a moving picture/picture encoder that encodes a moving picture/picture block by block.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, encoder 100 is a device that encodes a picture block by block, and includes splitter 102, subtractor 104, transformer 106, quantizer 108, entropy encoder 110, inverse quantizer 112, inverse transformer 114, adder 116, block memory 118, loop filter 120, frame memory 122, intra predictor 124, inter predictor 126, and prediction controller 128.

Encoder 100 is realized as, for example, a generic processor and memory. In this case, when a software program stored in the memory is executed by the processor, the processor functions as splitter 102, subtractor 104, transformer 106, quantizer 108, entropy encoder 110, inverse quantizer 112, inverse transformer 114, adder 116, loop filter 120, intra predictor 124, inter predictor 126, and prediction controller 128. Alternatively, encoder 100 may be realized as one or more dedicated electronic circuits corresponding to splitter 102, subtractor 104, transformer 106, quantizer 108, entropy encoder 110, inverse quantizer 112, inverse transformer 114, adder 116, loop filter 120, intra predictor 124, inter predictor 126, and prediction controller 128.

Hereinafter, each component included in encoder 100 will be described.

[Splitter]

Splitter 102 splits each picture included in an input moving picture into blocks, and outputs each block to subtractor 104. For example, splitter 102 first splits a picture into blocks of a fixed size (for example, 128×128). The fixed size block is also referred to as coding tree unit (CTU). Splitter 102 then splits each fixed size block into blocks of variable sizes (for example, 64×64 or smaller), based on recursive quadtree and/or binary tree block splitting. The variable size block is also referred to as a coding unit (CU), a prediction unit (PU), or a transform unit (TU). Note that in this embodiment, there is no need to differentiate between CU, PU, and TU; all or some of the blocks in a picture may be processed per CU, PU, or TU.

FIG. 2 illustrates one example of block splitting according to Embodiment 1. In FIG. 2, the solid lines represent block boundaries of blocks split by quadtree block splitting, and the dashed lines represent block boundaries of blocks split by binary tree block splitting.

Here, block 10 is a square 128×128 pixel block (128×128 block). This 128×128 block 10 is first split into four square 64×64 blocks (quadtree block splitting).

The top left 64×64 block is further vertically split into two rectangle 32×64 blocks, and the left 32×64 block is further vertically split into two rectangle 16×64 blocks (binary tree block splitting). As a result, the top left 64×64 block is split into two 16×64 blocks 11 and 12 and one 32×64 block 13.

The top right 64×64 block is horizontally split into two rectangle 64×32 blocks 14 and 15 (binary tree block splitting).

The bottom left 64×64 block is first split into four square 32×32 blocks (quadtree block splitting). The top left block and the bottom right block among the four 32×32 blocks are further split. The top left 32×32 block is vertically split into two rectangle 16×32 blocks, and the right 16×32 block is further horizontally split into two 16×16 blocks (binary tree block splitting). The bottom right 32×32 block is horizontally split into two 32×16 blocks (binary tree block splitting). As a result, the bottom left 64×64 block is split into 16×32 block 16, two 16×16 blocks 17 and 18, two 32×32 blocks 19 and 20, and two 32×16 blocks 21 and 22.

The bottom right 64×64 block 23 is not split.

As described above, in FIG. 2, block 10 is split into 13 variable size blocks 11 through 23 based on recursive quadtree and binary tree block splitting. This type of splitting is also referred to as quadtree plus binary tree (QTBT) splitting.

Note that in FIG. 2, one block is split into four or two blocks (quadtree or binary tree block splitting), but splitting is not limited to this example. For example, one block may be split into three blocks (ternary block splitting). Splitting including such ternary block splitting is also referred to as multi-type tree (MBT) splitting.

[Subtractor]

Subtractor 104 subtracts a prediction signal (prediction sample) from an original signal (original sample) per block split by splitter 102. In other words, subtractor 104 calculates prediction errors (also referred to as residuals) of a block to be encoded (hereinafter referred to as a current block). Subtractor 104 then outputs the calculated prediction errors to transformer 106.

The original signal is a signal input into encoder 100, and is a signal representing an image for each picture included in a moving picture (for example, a luma signal and two chroma signals). Hereinafter, a signal representing an image is also referred to as a sample.

[Transformer]

Transformer 106 transforms spatial domain prediction errors into frequency domain transform coefficients, and outputs the transform coefficients to quantizer 108. More specifically, transformer 106 applies, for example, a predefined discrete cosine transform (DCT) or discrete sine transform (DST) to spatial domain prediction errors.

Note that transformer 106 may adaptively select a transform type from among a plurality of transform types, and transform prediction errors into transform coefficients by using a transform basis function corresponding to the selected transform type. This sort of transform is also referred to as explicit multiple core transform (EMT) or adaptive multiple transform (AMT).

The transform types include, for example, DCT-II, DCT-V, DCT-VIII, DST-I, and DST-VII. FIG. 3 is a chart indicating transform basis functions for each transform type. In FIG. 3, N indicates the number of input pixels. For example, selection of a transform type from among the plurality of transform types may depend on the prediction type (intra prediction and inter prediction), and may depend on intra prediction mode.

Information indicating whether to apply such EMT or AMT (referred to as, for example, an AMT flag) and information indicating the selected transform type is signalled at the CU level. Note that the signaling of such information need not be performed at the CU level, and may be performed at another level (for example, at the sequence level, picture level, slice level, tile level, or CTU level).

Moreover, transformer 106 may apply a secondary transform to the transform coefficients (transform result). Such a secondary transform is also referred to as adaptive secondary transform (AST) or non-separable secondary transform (NSST). For example, transformer 106 applies a secondary transform to each sub-block (for example, each 4×4 sub-block) included in the block of the transform coefficients corresponding to the intra prediction errors. Information indicating whether to apply NSST and information related to the transform matrix used in NSST are signalled at the CU level. Note that the signaling of such information need not be performed at the CU level, and may be performed at another level (for example, at the sequence level, picture level, slice level, tile level, or CTU level).

Here, a separable transform is a method in which a transform is performed a plurality of times by separately performing a transform for each direction according to the number of dimensions input. A non-separable transform is a method of performing a collective transform in which two or more dimensions in a multidimensional input are collectively regarded as a single dimension.

In one example of a non-separable transform, when the input is a 4×4 block, the 4×4 block is regarded as a single array including 16 components, and the transform applies a 16×16 transform matrix to the array.

Moreover, similar to above, after an input 4×4 block is regarded as a single array including 16 components, a transform that performs a plurality of Givens rotations on the array (i.e., a Hypercube-Givens Transform) is also one example of a non-separable transform.

[Quantizer]

Quantizer 108 quantizes the transform coefficients output from transformer 106. More specifically, quantizer 108 scans, in a predetermined scanning order, the transform coefficients of the current block, and quantizes the scanned transform coefficients based on quantization parameters (QP) corresponding to the transform coefficients. Quantizer 108 then outputs the quantized transform coefficients (hereinafter referred to as quantized coefficients) of the current block to entropy encoder 110 and inverse quantizer 112.

A predetermined order is an order for quantizing/inverse quantizing transform coefficients. For example, a predetermined scanning order is defined as ascending order of frequency (from low to high frequency) or descending order of frequency (from high to low frequency).

A quantization parameter is a parameter defining a quantization step size (quantization width). For example, if the value of the quantization parameter increases, the quantization step size also increases. In other words, if the value of the quantization parameter increases, the quantization error increases.

[Entropy Encoder]

Entropy encoder 110 generates an encoded signal (encoded bitstream) by variable length encoding quantized coefficients, which are inputs from quantizer 108. More specifically, entropy encoder 110, for example, binarizes quantized coefficients and arithmetic encodes the binary signal.

[Inverse Quantizer]

Inverse quantizer 112 inverse quantizes quantized coefficients, which are inputs from quantizer 108. More specifically, inverse quantizer 112 inverse quantizes, in a predetermined scanning order, quantized coefficients of the current block. Inverse quantizer 112 then outputs the inverse quantized transform coefficients of the current block to inverse transformer 114.

[Inverse Transformer]

Inverse transformer 114 restores prediction errors by inverse transforming transform coefficients, which are inputs from inverse quantizer 112. More specifically, inverse transformer 114 restores the prediction errors of the current block by applying an inverse transform corresponding to the transform applied by transformer 106 on the transform coefficients. Inverse transformer 114 then outputs the restored prediction errors to adder 116.

Note that since information is lost in quantization, the restored prediction errors do not match the prediction errors calculated by subtractor 104. In other words, the restored prediction errors include quantization errors.

[Adder]

Adder 116 reconstructs the current block by summing prediction errors, which are inputs from inverse transformer 114, and prediction samples, which are inputs from prediction controller 128. Adder 116 then outputs the reconstructed block to block memory 118 and loop filter 120. A reconstructed block is also referred to as a local decoded block.

[Block Memory]

Block memory 118 is storage for storing blocks in a picture to be encoded (hereinafter referred to as a current picture) for reference in intra prediction. More specifically, block memory 118 stores reconstructed blocks output from adder 116.

[Loop Filter]

Loop filter 120 applies a loop filter to blocks reconstructed by adder 116, and outputs the filtered reconstructed blocks to frame memory 122. A loop filter is a filter used in an encoding loop (in-loop filter), and includes, for example, a deblocking filter (DF), a sample adaptive offset (SAO), and an adaptive loop filter (ALF).

In ALF, a least square error filter for removing compression artifacts is applied. For example, one filter from among a plurality of filters is selected for each 2×2 sub-block in the current block based on direction and activity of local gradients, and is applied.

More specifically, first, each sub-block (for example, each 2×2 sub-block) is categorized into one out of a plurality of classes (for example, 15 or 25 classes). The classification of the sub-block is based on gradient directionality and activity. For example, classification index C is derived based on gradient directionality D (for example, 0 to 2 or 0 to 4) and gradient activity A (for example, 0 to 4) (for example, C=5D+A). Then, based on classification index C, each sub-block is categorized into one out of a plurality of classes (for example, 15 or 25 classes).

For example, gradient directionality D is calculated by comparing gradients of a plurality of directions (for example, the horizontal, vertical, and two diagonal directions). Moreover, for example, gradient activity A is calculated by summing gradients of a plurality of directions and quantizing the sum.

The filter to be used for each sub-block is determined from among the plurality of filters based on the result of such categorization.

The filter shape to be used in ALF is, for example, a circular symmetric filter shape. FIG. 4A through FIG. 4C illustrate examples of filter shapes used in ALF. FIG. 4A illustrates a 5×5 diamond shape filter, FIG. 4B illustrates a 7×7 diamond shape filter, and FIG. 4C illustrates a 9×9 diamond shape filter. Information indicating the filter shape is signalled at the picture level. Note that the signaling of information indicating the filter shape need not be performed at the picture level, and may be performed at another level (for example, at the sequence level, slice level, tile level, CTU level, or CU level).

The enabling or disabling of ALF is determined at the picture level or CU level. For example, for luma, the decision to apply ALF or not is done at the CU level, and for chroma, the decision to apply ALF or not is done at the picture level. Information indicating whether ALF is enabled or disabled is signalled at the picture level or CU level. Note that the signaling of information indicating whether ALF is enabled or disabled need not be performed at the picture level or CU level, and may be performed at another level (for example, at the sequence level, slice level, tile level, or CTU level).

The coefficients set for the plurality of selectable filters (for example, 15 or 25 filters) is signalled at the picture level. Note that the signaling of the coefficients set need not be performed at the picture level, and may be performed at another level (for example, at the sequence level, slice level, tile level, CTU level, CU level, or sub-block level).

[Frame Memory]

Frame memory 122 is storage for storing reference pictures used in inter prediction, and is also referred to as a frame buffer. More specifically, frame memory 122 stores reconstructed blocks filtered by loop filter 120.

[Intra Predictor]

Intra predictor 124 generates a prediction signal (intra prediction signal) by intra predicting the current block with reference to a block or blocks in the current picture and stored in block memory 118 (also referred to as intra frame prediction). More specifically, intra predictor 124 generates an intra prediction signal by intra prediction with reference to samples (for example, luma and/or chroma values) of a block or blocks neighboring the current block, and then outputs the intra prediction signal to prediction controller 128.

For example, intra predictor 124 performs intra prediction by using one mode from among a plurality of predefined intra prediction modes. The intra prediction modes include one or more non-directional prediction modes and a plurality of directional prediction modes.

The one or more non-directional prediction modes include, for example, planar prediction mode and DC prediction mode defined in the H.265/high-efficiency video coding (HEVC) standard (see NPL 1).

The plurality of directional prediction modes include, for example, the 33 directional prediction modes defined in the H.265/HEVC standard. Note that the plurality of directional prediction modes may further include 32 directional prediction modes in addition to the 33 directional prediction modes (for a total of 65 directional prediction modes). FIG. 5A illustrates 67 intra prediction modes used in intra prediction (two non-directional prediction modes and 65 directional prediction modes). The solid arrows represent the 33 directions defined in the H.265/HEVC standard, and the dashed arrows represent the additional 32 directions.

Note that a luma block may be referenced in chroma block intra prediction. In other words, a chroma component of the current block may be predicted based on a luma component of the current block. Such intra prediction is also referred to as cross-component linear model (CCLM) prediction. Such a chroma block intra prediction mode that references a luma block (referred to as, for example, CCLM mode) may be added as one of the chroma block intra prediction modes.

Intra predictor 124 may correct post-intra-prediction pixel values based on horizontal/vertical reference pixel gradients. Intra prediction accompanied by this sort of correcting is also referred to as position dependent intra prediction combination (PDPC). Information indicating whether to apply PDPC or not (referred to as, for example, a PDPC flag) is, for example, signalled at the CU level. Note that the signaling of this information need not be performed at the CU level, and may be performed at another level (for example, on the sequence level, picture level, slice level, tile level, or CTU level).

[Inter Predictor]

Inter predictor 126 generates a prediction signal (inter prediction signal) by inter predicting the current block with reference to a block or blocks in a reference picture, which is different from the current picture and is stored in frame memory 122 (also referred to as inter frame prediction). Inter prediction is performed per current block or per sub-block (for example, per 4×4 block) in the current block. For example, inter predictor 126 performs motion estimation in a reference picture for the current block or sub-block. Inter predictor 126 then generates an inter prediction signal of the current block or sub-block by motion compensation by using motion information (for example, a motion vector) obtained from motion estimation. Inter predictor 126 then outputs the generated inter prediction signal to prediction controller 128.

The motion information used in motion compensation is signalled. A motion vector predictor may be used for the signaling of the motion vector. In other words, the difference between the motion vector and the motion vector predictor may be signalled.

Note that the inter prediction signal may be generated using motion information for a neighboring block in addition to motion information for the current block obtained from motion estimation. More specifically, the inter prediction signal may be generated per sub-block in the current block by calculating a weighted sum of a prediction signal based on motion information obtained from motion estimation and a prediction signal based on motion information for a neighboring block. Such inter prediction (motion compensation) is also referred to as overlapped block motion compensation (OBMC).

In such an OBMC mode, information indicating sub-block size for OBMC (referred to as, for example, OBMC block size) is signalled at the sequence level.

Moreover, information indicating whether to apply the OBMC mode or not (referred to as, for example, an OBMC flag) is signalled at the CU level. Note that the signaling of such information need not be performed at the sequence level and CU level, and may be performed at another level (for example, at the picture level, slice level, tile level, CTU level, or sub-block level).

Hereinafter, the OBMC mode will be described in further detail. FIG. 5B is a flowchart and FIG. 5C is a conceptual diagram for illustrating an outline of a prediction image correction process performed via OBMC processing.

First, a prediction image (Pred) is obtained through typical motion compensation using a motion vector (MV) assigned to the current block.

Next, a prediction image (Pred_L) is obtained by applying a motion vector (MV_L) of the encoded neighboring left block to the current block, and a first pass of the correction of the prediction image is made by superimposing the prediction image and Pred_L.

Similarly, a prediction image (Pred_U) is obtained by applying a motion vector (MV_U) of the encoded neighboring upper block to the current block, and a second pass of the correction of the prediction image is made by superimposing the prediction image resulting from the first pass and Pred_U. The result of the second pass is the final prediction image.

Note that the above example is of a two-pass correction method using the neighboring left and upper blocks, but the method may be a three-pass or higher correction method that also uses the neighboring right and/or lower block.

Note that the region subject to superimposition may be the entire pixel region of the block, and, alternatively, may be a partial block boundary region.

Note that here, the prediction image correction process is described as being based on a single reference picture, but the same applies when a prediction image is corrected based on a plurality of reference pictures. In such a case, after corrected prediction images resulting from performing correction based on each of the reference pictures are obtained, the obtained corrected prediction images are further superimposed to obtain the final prediction image.

Note that the unit of the current block may be a prediction block and, alternatively, may be a sub-block obtained by further dividing the prediction block.

One example of a method for determining whether to implement OBMC processing is by using an obmc_flag, which is a signal that indicates whether to implement OBMC processing. As one specific example, the encoder determines whether the current block belongs to a region including complicated motion. The encoder sets the obmc_flag to a value of “1” when the block belongs to a region including complicated motion and implements OBMC processing when encoding, and sets the obmc_flag to a value of “0” when the block does not belong to a region including complication motion and encodes without implementing OBMC processing. The decoder switches between implementing OBMC processing or not by decoding the obmc_flag written in the stream and performing the decoding in accordance with the flag value.

Note that the motion information may be derived on the decoder side without being signalled. For example, a merge mode defined in the H.265/HEVC standard may be used. Moreover, for example, the motion information may be derived by performing motion estimation on the decoder side. In this case, motion estimation is performed without using the pixel values of the current block.

Here, a mode for performing motion estimation on the decoder side will be described. A mode for performing motion estimation on the decoder side is also referred to as pattern matched motion vector derivation (PMMVD) mode or frame rate up-conversion (FRUC) mode.

One example of FRUC processing is illustrated in FIG. 5D. First, a candidate list (a candidate list may be a merge list) of candidates each including a motion vector predictor is generated with reference to motion vectors of encoded blocks that spatially or temporally neighbor the current block. Next, the best candidate MV is selected from among a plurality of candidate MVs registered in the candidate list. For example, evaluation values for the candidates included in the candidate list are calculated and one candidate is selected based on the calculated evaluation values.

Next, a motion vector for the current block is derived from the motion vector of the selected candidate. More specifically, for example, the motion vector for the current block is calculated as the motion vector of the selected candidate (best candidate MV), as-is. Alternatively, the motion vector for the current block may be derived by pattern matching performed in the vicinity of a position in a reference picture corresponding to the motion vector of the selected candidate. In other words, when the vicinity of the best candidate MV is searched via the same method and an MV having a better evaluation value is found, the best candidate MV may be updated to the MV having the better evaluation value, and the MV having the better evaluation value may be used as the final MV for the current block. Note that a configuration in which this processing is not implemented is also acceptable.

The same processes may be performed in cases in which the processing is performed in units of sub-blocks.

Note that an evaluation value is calculated by calculating the difference in the reconstructed image by pattern matching performed between a region in a reference picture corresponding to a motion vector and a predetermined region. Note that the evaluation value may be calculated by using some other information in addition to the difference.

The pattern matching used is either first pattern matching or second pattern matching. First pattern matching and second pattern matching are also referred to as bilateral matching and template matching, respectively.

In the first pattern matching, pattern matching is performed between two blocks along the motion trajectory of the current block in two different reference pictures. Therefore, in the first pattern matching, a region in another reference picture conforming to the motion trajectory of the current block is used as the predetermined region for the above-described calculation of the candidate evaluation value.

FIG. 6 is for illustrating one example of pattern matching (bilateral matching) between two blocks along a motion trajectory. As illustrated in FIG. 6, in the first pattern matching, two motion vectors (MV0, MV1) are derived by finding the best match between two blocks along the motion trajectory of the current block (Cur block) in two different reference pictures (Ref0, Ref1). More specifically, a difference between (i) a reconstructed image in a specified position in a first encoded reference picture (Ref0) specified by a candidate MV and (ii) a reconstructed picture in a specified position in a second encoded reference picture (Ref1) specified by a symmetrical MV scaled at a display time interval of the candidate MV may be derived, and the evaluation value for the current block may be calculated by using the derived difference. The candidate MV having the best evaluation value among the plurality of candidate MVs may be selected as the final MV.

Under the assumption of continuous motion trajectory, the motion vectors (MV0, MV1) pointing to the two reference blocks shall be proportional to the temporal distances (TD0, TD1) between the current picture (Cur Pic) and the two reference pictures (Ref0, Ref1). For example, when the current picture is temporally between the two reference pictures and the temporal distance from the current picture to the two reference pictures is the same, the first pattern matching derives a mirror based bi-directional motion vector.

In the second pattern matching, pattern matching is performed between a template in the current picture (blocks neighboring the current block in the current picture (for example, the top and/or left neighboring blocks)) and a block in a reference picture. Therefore, in the second pattern matching, a block neighboring the current block in the current picture is used as the predetermined region for the above-described calculation of the candidate evaluation value.

FIG. 7 is for illustrating one example of pattern matching (template matching) between a template in the current picture and a block in a reference picture. As illustrated in FIG. 7, in the second pattern matching, a motion vector of the current block is derived by searching a reference picture (Ref0) to find the block that best matches neighboring blocks of the current block (Cur block) in the current picture (Cur Pic). More specifically, a difference between (i) a reconstructed image of an encoded region that is both or one of the neighboring left and neighboring upper regions and (ii) a reconstructed picture in the same position in an encoded reference picture (Ref0) specified by a candidate MV may be derived, and the evaluation value for the current block may be calculated by using the derived difference. The candidate MV having the best evaluation value among the plurality of candidate MVs may be selected as the best candidate MV.

Information indicating whether to apply the FRUC mode or not (referred to as, for example, a FRUC flag) is signalled at the CU level. Moreover, when the FRUC mode is applied (for example, when the FRUC flag is set to true), information indicating the pattern matching method (first pattern matching or second pattern matching) is signalled at the CU level. Note that the signaling of such information need not be performed at the CU level, and may be performed at another level (for example, at the sequence level, picture level, slice level, tile level, CTU level, or sub-block level).

Here, a mode for deriving a motion vector based on a model assuming uniform linear motion will be described. This mode is also referred to as a bi-directional optical flow (BIO) mode.

FIG. 8 is for illustrating a model assuming uniform linear motion. In FIG. 8, (v_(x), v_(y)) denotes a velocity vector, and τ₀ and τ₁ denote temporal distances between the current picture (Cur Pic) and two reference pictures (Ref₀, Ref₁). (MVx₀, MVy₀) denotes a motion vector corresponding to reference picture Ref₀, and (MVx₁, MVy₁) denotes a motion vector corresponding to reference picture Ref₁.

Here, under the assumption of uniform linear motion exhibited by velocity vector (v_(x), v_(y)), (MVx₀, MVy₀) and (MVx₁, MVy₁) are represented as (v_(x)τ₀, v_(y)τ₀) and (−v_(x)τ₁, −v_(y)τ₁), respectively, and the following optical flow equation is given.

MATH. 1

∂I ^((k)) /∂t+v _(x) ∂I ^((k)) /∂x+v _(y) ∂I ^((k)) /∂y=0.  (1)

Here, I^((k)) denotes a luma value from reference picture k (k=0, 1) after motion compensation. This optical flow equation shows that the sum of (i) the time derivative of the luma value, (ii) the product of the horizontal velocity and the horizontal component of the spatial gradient of a reference picture, and (iii) the product of the vertical velocity and the vertical component of the spatial gradient of a reference picture is equal to zero. A motion vector of each block obtained from, for example, a merge list is corrected pixel by pixel based on a combination of the optical flow equation and Hermite interpolation.

Note that a motion vector may be derived on the decoder side using a method other than deriving a motion vector based on a model assuming uniform linear motion. For example, a motion vector may be derived for each sub-block based on motion vectors of neighboring blocks.

Here, a mode in which a motion vector is derived for each sub-block based on motion vectors of neighboring blocks will be described. This mode is also referred to as affine motion compensation prediction mode.

FIG. 9A is for illustrating deriving a motion vector of each sub-block based on motion vectors of neighboring blocks. In FIG. 9A, the current block includes 16 4×4 sub-blocks. Here, motion vector v₀ of the top left corner control point in the current block is derived based on motion vectors of neighboring sub-blocks, and motion vector v₁ of the top right corner control point in the current block is derived based on motion vectors of neighboring blocks. Then, using the two motion vectors v₀ and v₁, the motion vector (v_(x), v_(y)) of each sub-block in the current block is derived using Equation 2 below.

MATH.2 $\begin{matrix} \left\{ \begin{matrix} {v_{x} = {{\frac{\left( {v_{1x} - v_{0_{x}}} \right)}{w}x} - {\frac{\left( {v_{1y} - v_{0_{y}}} \right)}{w}y} + v_{0_{x}}}} \\ {v_{y} = {{\frac{\left( {v_{1y} - v_{0_{y}}} \right)}{w}x} + {\frac{\left( {v_{1x} - v_{0_{x}}} \right)}{w}y} + v_{0_{y}}}} \end{matrix} \right. & (2) \end{matrix}$

Here, x and y are the horizontal and vertical positions of the sub-block, respectively, and w is a predetermined weighted coefficient.

Such an affine motion compensation prediction mode may include a number of modes of different methods of deriving the motion vectors of the top left and top right corner control points. Information indicating such an affine motion compensation prediction mode (referred to as, for example, an affine flag) is signalled at the CU level. Note that the signaling of information indicating the affine motion compensation prediction mode need not be performed at the CU level, and may be performed at another level (for example, at the sequence level, picture level, slice level, tile level, CTU level, or sub-block level).

[Prediction Controller]

Prediction controller 128 selects either the intra prediction signal or the inter prediction signal, and outputs the selected prediction signal to subtractor 104 and adder 116.

Here, an example of deriving a motion vector via merge mode in a current picture will be given. FIG. 9B is for illustrating an outline of a process for deriving a motion vector via merge mode.

First, an MV predictor list in which candidate MV predictors are registered is generated. Examples of candidate MV predictors include: spatially neighboring MV predictors, which are MVs of encoded blocks positioned in the spatial vicinity of the current block; a temporally neighboring MV predictor, which is an MV of a block in an encoded reference picture that neighbors a block in the same location as the current block; a combined MV predictor, which is an MV generated by combining the MV values of the spatially neighboring MV predictor and the temporally neighboring MV predictor; and a zero MV predictor, which is an MV whose value is zero.

Next, the MV of the current block is determined by selecting one MV predictor from among the plurality of MV predictors registered in the MV predictor list.

Furthermore, in the variable-length encoder, a merge_idx, which is a signal indicating which MV predictor is selected, is written and encoded into the stream.

Note that the MV predictors registered in the MV predictor list illustrated in FIG. 9B constitute one example. The number of MV predictors registered in the MV predictor list may be different from the number illustrated in FIG. 9B, the MV predictors registered in the MV predictor list may omit one or more of the types of MV predictors given in the example in FIG. 9B, and the MV predictors registered in the MV predictor list may include one or more types of MV predictors in addition to and different from the types given in the example in FIG. 9B.

Note that the final MV may be determined by performing DMVR processing (to be described later) by using the MV of the current block derived via merge mode.

Here, an example of determining an MV by using DMVR processing will be given.

FIG. 9C is a conceptual diagram for illustrating an outline of DMVR processing.

First, the most appropriate MVP set for the current block is considered to be the candidate MV, reference pixels are obtained from a first reference picture, which is a picture processed in the L0 direction in accordance with the candidate MV, and a second reference picture, which is a picture processed in the L1 direction in accordance with the candidate MV, and a template is generated by calculating the average of the reference pixels.

Next, using the template, the surrounding regions of the candidate MVs of the first and second reference pictures are searched, and the MV with the lowest cost is determined to be the final MV. Note that the cost value is calculated using, for example, the difference between each pixel value in the template and each pixel value in the regions searched, as well as the MV value.

Note that the outlines of the processes described here are fundamentally the same in both the encoder and the decoder.

Note that processing other than the processing exactly as described above may be used, so long as the processing is capable of deriving the final MV by searching the surroundings of the candidate MV.

Here, an example of a mode that generates a prediction image by using LIC processing will be given.

FIG. 9D is for illustrating an outline of a prediction image generation method using a luminance correction process performed via LIC processing.

First, an MV is extracted for obtaining, from an encoded reference picture, a reference image corresponding to the current block.

Next, information indicating how the luminance value changed between the reference picture and the current picture is extracted and a luminance correction parameter is calculated by using the luminance pixel values for the encoded left neighboring reference region and the encoded upper neighboring reference region, and the luminance pixel value in the same location in the reference picture specified by the MV.

The prediction image for the current block is generated by performing a luminance correction process by using the luminance correction parameter on the reference image in the reference picture specified by the MV.

Note that the shape of the surrounding reference region illustrated in FIG. 9D is just one example; the surrounding reference region may have a different shape.

Moreover, although a prediction image is generated from a single reference picture in this example, in cases in which a prediction image is generated from a plurality of reference pictures as well, the prediction image is generated after performing a luminance correction process, via the same method, on the reference images obtained from the reference pictures.

One example of a method for determining whether to implement LIC processing is by using an lic_flag, which is a signal that indicates whether to implement LIC processing. As one specific example, the encoder determines whether the current block belongs to a region of luminance change. The encoder sets the lic_flag to a value of “1” when the block belongs to a region of luminance change and implements LIC processing when encoding, and sets the lic_flag to a value of “0” when the block does not belong to a region of luminance change and encodes without implementing LIC processing. The decoder switches between implementing LIC processing or not by decoding the lic_flag written in the stream and performing the decoding in accordance with the flag value.

One example of a different method of determining whether to implement LIC processing is determining so in accordance with whether LIC processing was determined to be implemented for a surrounding block. In one specific example, when merge mode is used on the current block, whether LIC processing was applied in the encoding of the surrounding encoded block selected upon deriving the MV in the merge mode processing may be determined, and whether to implement LIC processing or not can be switched based on the result of the determination. Note that in this example, the same applies to the processing performed on the decoder side.

[Decoder Outline]

Next, a decoder capable of decoding an encoded signal (encoded bitstream) output from encoder 100 will be described. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of decoder 200 according to Embodiment 1. Decoder 200 is a moving picture/picture decoder that decodes a moving picture/picture block by block.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, decoder 200 includes entropy decoder 202, inverse quantizer 204, inverse transformer 206, adder 208, block memory 210, loop filter 212, frame memory 214, intra predictor 216, inter predictor 218, and prediction controller 220.

Decoder 200 is realized as, for example, a generic processor and memory. In this case, when a software program stored in the memory is executed by the processor, the processor functions as entropy decoder 202, inverse quantizer 204, inverse transformer 206, adder 208, loop filter 212, intra predictor 216, inter predictor 218, and prediction controller 220. Alternatively, decoder 200 may be realized as one or more dedicated electronic circuits corresponding to entropy decoder 202, inverse quantizer 204, inverse transformer 206, adder 208, loop filter 212, intra predictor 216, inter predictor 218, and prediction controller 220. Hereinafter, each component included in decoder 200 will be described.

[Entropy Decoder]

Entropy decoder 202 entropy decodes an encoded bitstream. More specifically, for example, entropy decoder 202 arithmetic decodes an encoded bitstream into a binary signal. Entropy decoder 202 then debinarizes the binary signal. With this, entropy decoder 202 outputs quantized coefficients of each block to inverse quantizer 204.

[Inverse Quantizer]

Inverse quantizer 204 inverse quantizes quantized coefficients of a block to be decoded (hereinafter referred to as a current block), which are inputs from entropy decoder 202. More specifically, inverse quantizer 204 inverse quantizes quantized coefficients of the current block based on quantization parameters corresponding to the quantized coefficients. Inverse quantizer 204 then outputs the inverse quantized coefficients (i.e., transform coefficients) of the current block to inverse transformer 206.

[Inverse Transformer]

Inverse transformer 206 restores prediction errors by inverse transforming transform coefficients, which are inputs from inverse quantizer 204.

For example, when information parsed from an encoded bitstream indicates application of EMT or AMT (for example, when the AMT flag is set to true), inverse transformer 206 inverse transforms the transform coefficients of the current block based on information indicating the parsed transform type.

Moreover, for example, when information parsed from an encoded bitstream indicates application of NSST, inverse transformer 206 applies a secondary inverse transform to the transform coefficients.

[Adder]

Adder 208 reconstructs the current block by summing prediction errors, which are inputs from inverse transformer 206, and prediction samples, which is an input from prediction controller 220. Adder 208 then outputs the reconstructed block to block memory 210 and loop filter 212.

[Block Memory]

Block memory 210 is storage for storing blocks in a picture to be decoded (hereinafter referred to as a current picture) for reference in intra prediction. More specifically, block memory 210 stores reconstructed blocks output from adder 208.

[Loop Filter]

Loop filter 212 applies a loop filter to blocks reconstructed by adder 208, and outputs the filtered reconstructed blocks to frame memory 214 and, for example, a display device.

When information indicating the enabling or disabling of ALF parsed from an encoded bitstream indicates enabled, one filter from among a plurality of filters is selected based on direction and activity of local gradients, and the selected filter is applied to the reconstructed block.

[Frame Memory]

Frame memory 214 is storage for storing reference pictures used in inter prediction, and is also referred to as a frame buffer. More specifically, frame memory 214 stores reconstructed blocks filtered by loop filter 212.

[Intra Predictor]

Intra predictor 216 generates a prediction signal (intra prediction signal) by intra prediction with reference to a block or blocks in the current picture and stored in block memory 210. More specifically, intra predictor 216 generates an intra prediction signal by intra prediction with reference to samples (for example, luma and/or chroma values) of a block or blocks neighboring the current block, and then outputs the intra prediction signal to prediction controller 220.

Note that when an intra prediction mode in which a chroma block is intra predicted from a luma block is selected, intra predictor 216 may predict the chroma component of the current block based on the luma component of the current block.

Moreover, when information indicating the application of PDPC is parsed from an encoded bitstream, intra predictor 216 corrects post-intra-prediction pixel values based on horizontal/vertical reference pixel gradients.

[Inter Predictor]

Inter predictor 218 predicts the current block with reference to a reference picture stored in frame memory 214. Inter prediction is performed per current block or per sub-block (for example, per 4×4 block) in the current block. For example, inter predictor 218 generates an inter prediction signal of the current block or sub-block by motion compensation by using motion information (for example, a motion vector) parsed from an encoded bitstream, and outputs the inter prediction signal to prediction controller 220.

Note that when the information parsed from the encoded bitstream indicates application of OBMC mode, inter predictor 218 generates the inter prediction signal using motion information for a neighboring block in addition to motion information for the current block obtained from motion estimation.

Moreover, when the information parsed from the encoded bitstream indicates application of FRUC mode, inter predictor 218 derives motion information by performing motion estimation in accordance with the pattern matching method (bilateral matching or template matching) parsed from the encoded bitstream. Inter predictor 218 then performs motion compensation using the derived motion information.

Moreover, when BIO mode is to be applied, inter predictor 218 derives a motion vector based on a model assuming uniform linear motion. Moreover, when the information parsed from the encoded bitstream indicates that affine motion compensation prediction mode is to be applied, inter predictor 218 derives a motion vector of each sub-block based on motion vectors of neighboring blocks.

[Prediction Controller]

Prediction controller 220 selects either the intra prediction signal or the inter prediction signal, and outputs the selected prediction signal to adder 208.

Embodiment 2

Next, Embodiment 2 will be described. The present embodiment relates to inter prediction in a so-called BIO mode. The present embodiment differs from the above-described Embodiment 1 in that a motion vector per block is corrected on a per sub-block basis, not on a per pixel basis. The following describes the present embodiment mainly focusing on the points different from the above-described Embodiment 1.

Note that the configurations of the encoder and decoder according to the present embodiment are substantially the same as those illustrated in Embodiment 1. Accordingly, duplicate depiction and description are omitted.

[Inter Prediction]

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating inter prediction according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 12 is a conceptual view for explaining the inter prediction according to Embodiment 2. The following process is performed by inter predictor 126 in encoder 100 or inter predictor 218 in decoder 200.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, a loop process is firstly performed on a per block basis for a plurality of blocks in a current picture to be encoded or decoded (current picture 1000) (S101-S111). In FIG. 12, a current block to be encoded or decoded is selected as current block 1001 from among a plurality of blocks.

In the loop process performed on a per block basis, the loop process is performed on a per reference picture basis for first reference picture 1100 (L0) and second reference picture 1200 (L1) which are processed pictures (S102-S106).

In the loop process performed on a per reference picture basis, a motion vector for obtaining a prediction image from a reference picture is firstly derived or obtained on a per block basis (S103). In FIG. 12, first motion vector 1110 (MV_L0) is derived or obtained for first reference picture 1100, and second motion vector 1210 (MV_L1) is derived or obtained for second reference picture 1200. The methods for deriving a motion vector include a normal inter prediction mode, a merge mode, a FRUC mode, etc. In the case of a normal inter prediction mode, for example, encoder 100 derives a motion vector through motion estimation whereas decoder 200 obtains a motion vector from a bitstream.

Next, motion compensation is performed using the motion vector derived or obtained, and a prediction image is thus obtained from a reference picture. In FIG. 12, motion compensation is performed using first motion vector 1110, and first prediction image 1140 is thereby obtained from first reference picture 1100. In addition, motion compensation is performed using second motion vector 1210, and second prediction image 1240 is thereby obtained from second reference picture 1200.

In motion compensation, a motion compensation filter is applied to a reference picture. The motion compensation filter is an interpolation filter for obtaining a prediction image with sub-pixel accuracy. In first reference picture 1100 in FIG. 12, pixels in first interpolation reference range 1130, which include pixels in first prediction block 1120 and the surrounding pixels, are referred to by a motion compensation filter for first prediction block 1120 specified by first motion vector 1110. In second reference picture 1200, pixels in a second interpolation reference range 1230, which include pixels in second prediction block 1220 and the surrounding pixels, are referred to by a motion compensation filter for second prediction block 1220 specified by second motion vector 1210.

It should be noted that first interpolation reference range 1130 and second interpolation reference range 1230 are included in a first normal reference range and a second normal reference range, respectively, which are referred to for the motion compensation of current block 1001 in normal inter prediction performed without using local motion estimation values. The first normal reference range is included in first reference picture 1100, and the second normal reference range is included in second reference picture 1200. In normal inter prediction, a motion vector is derived on a per block basis through motion estimation, motion compensation is performed on a per block basis using the motion vector derived, and a motion-compensated image is directly used as a final prediction image, for example. In other words, local motion estimation values are not used in normal inter prediction. Note that first interpolation reference range 1130 and second interpolation reference range 1230 may coincide with the first normal reference range and the second normal reference range, respectively.

Subsequently, a gradient image corresponding to a prediction image is obtained from a reference picture (S105). Each pixel in a gradient image has a gradient value indicating a spatial gradient of luminance or chrominance. A gradient value is obtained by applying a gradient filter to a reference picture. In first reference picture 1100 in FIG. 12, a gradient filter for first prediction block 1120 refers to pixels in first gradient reference range 1135, which include pixels in first prediction block 1120 and the surrounding pixels. Such first gradient reference range 1135 is included in first interpolation reference range 1130. In second reference picture 1200, a gradient filter refers to pixels in second gradient reference range 1235, which include pixels in second prediction block 1220 and the surrounding pixels. Such second gradient reference range 1235 is included in second interpolation reference range 1230.

When the obtainment of a prediction image and a gradient image from each of the first and second reference pictures ends, the loop process performed on a per reference picture basis ends (S106). Subsequently, a loop process is performed on a per sub-block basis, where sub-blocks are obtained by further partitioning a block (S107-S110). Each of the sub-blocks has a size (e.g., 4×4 pixel size) less than that of a current block.

In the loop process performed on a per sub-block basis, local motion estimation value 1300 of a sub-block is derived using first prediction image 1140 and first gradient image 1150 that are obtained from first reference picture 1100, and second prediction image 1240 and second gradient image 1250 that are obtained from second reference picture 1200 (S108). For example, one local motion estimation value 1300 is derived for a sub-block by referring to pixels included in a prediction sub-block in each of first prediction image 1140, second prediction image 1240, first gradient image 1150, and second gradient image 1250. A prediction sub-block is a region in first prediction block 1120 or second prediction block 1220 and corresponds to sub-blocks in current block 1001. Local motion estimation value is also referred to as compensation motion vector in some cases.

Subsequently, final prediction image 1400 partitioned into sub-blocks is generated using pixel values of first prediction image 1140, pixel values of second prediction image 1240, gradient values of first gradient image 1150, gradient values of second gradient image 1250, and local motion estimation values 1300 (S109). When the generation of a final prediction image for each of the sub-blocks included in the current block ends, a final prediction image for the current block is generated and the loop process performed on a per sub-block basis ends (S110).

Moreover, when the loop process performed on a per block basis ends (S111), the process illustrated in FIG. 11 ends.

It should be noted that by directly allocating a motion vector per block of a current block to each of sub-blocks, it is also possible to obtain a prediction image or a gradient image on a per sub-block basis.

[Reference Ranges for Motion Compensation Filter and Gradient Filter]

Here, reference ranges for a motion compensation filter and a gradient filter will be described.

FIG. 13 is a conceptual view for explaining examples of reference ranges for a motion compensation filter and a gradient filter according to Embodiment 2.

In FIG. 13, a plurality of circles each indicate a pixel. The size of a current block is defined, for example, as 8×8 pixels, and the size of a sub-block is defined, for example, as 4×4 pixels in FIG. 13.

Reference range 1131 indicates a reference range (e.g., a rectangular range of 8×8 pixels) for a motion compensation filter which is applied to top-left pixel 1122 in first prediction block 1120. Reference range 1231 indicates a reference range (e.g., a rectangular range of 8×8 pixels) for a motion compensation filter which is applied to top-left pixel 1222 in second prediction block 1220.

Reference range 1132 indicates a reference range (e.g., a rectangular range of 6×6 pixels) for a gradient filter which is applied to top-left pixel 1122 in first prediction block 1120. Reference range 1232 indicates a reference range (e.g., a rectangular range of 6×6 pixels) for a gradient filter which is applied to top-left pixel 1222 in second prediction block 1220.

A motion compensation filter and a gradient filter are applied also to other pixels in first prediction block 1120 or second prediction block 1220, while pixels in a reference range are referred to. The reference range has a size identical to a reference range for the gradient filter applied to top-left pixel 1122, and is located in a position corresponding to the position of each of the pixels. As a result, pixels in first interpolation reference range 1130 and second interpolation reference range 1230 are referred to so that first prediction image 1140 and second prediction image 1240 are obtained. In addition, pixels in first gradient reference range 1135 and second gradient reference range 1235 are referred to so that first gradient image 1150 and second gradient image 1250 are obtained.

Advantageous Effects, Etc.

As has been described above, with the encoder and decoder according to the present embodiment, it is possible to derive a local motion estimation value on a per sub-block basis. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce a processing load or a processing time more than the case of deriving a local motion estimation value on a per pixel basis, while attempting to reduce prediction errors using local motion estimation values derived on a per sub-block basis.

With the encoder and the decoder according to the present embodiment, it is possible to include an interpolation reference range in a normal reference rage. Accordingly, there is no need to load new pixel data from a frame memory for motion compensation. It is thus possible to inhibit an increase in memory capacity and a memory bandwidth in the generation of a final prediction image using local motion estimation values derived on a per sub-block basis.

With the encoder and the decoder according to the present embodiment, it is possible to include a gradient reference range in an interpolation reference range. Accordingly, there is no need to load new pixel data from a frame memory for obtaining a gradient image. It is thus possible to inhibit an increase in memory capacity and a memory bandwidth.

This aspect may be implemented in combination with one or more of the other aspects according to the present disclosure. In addition, part of the process in the flowchart, part of the constituent elements of the apparatuses, and part of the syntax described in this aspect may be implemented in combination with other aspects.

Variation 1 of Embodiment 2

Next, a variation of the motion compensation filter and the gradient filter will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that in the following variation 1, a process related to a second prediction image is similar to a process related to a first prediction image. Accordingly, duplicate description is omitted or simplified where necessary.

[Motion Compensation Filter]

First, motion compensation filter will be described. FIG. 14 is a conceptual view for explaining examples of reference ranges for a motion compensation filter according to Variation 1 of Embodiment 2.

The following describes, as an example, the case where a motion compensation filter is applied to first prediction block 1120 for quarter-pixel accuracy in a horizontal direction and for half-pixel accuracy in a vertical direction. A motion compensation filter is a so-called 8-tap filter and is expressed by the following equation (3).

MATH.3 $\begin{matrix} {{{I^{k}\left\lbrack {x,y} \right\rbrack} = {\sum\limits_{j = 0}^{7}\left( {{w_{0.5}\lbrack j\rbrack}{\sum\limits_{i = 0}^{7}{{w_{0.25}\lbrack i\rbrack}{I_{0}^{k}\left\lbrack {{x - 3 + i},\ {y - 3 + j}} \right\rbrack}}}} \right)}}{w_{{0.2}5} = \left( {{- 1},4,\ {{- 1}0},58,{17},\ {- 5},1,0} \right)}{w_{0.5} = \left( {{- 1},4,\ {{- 1}1},{40},{40},\ {{- 1}1},4,\ {- 1}} \right)}} & (3) \end{matrix}$

Here, I^(k)[x, y] denotes a pixel value of the first prediction image with sub-pixel accuracy when k=0, and denotes a pixel value of the second prediction image with sub-pixel accuracy when k=1. A pixel value is a value held by a pixel and is a luminance or chrominance value in a prediction image, for example. w_(0.25) and w_(0.5) denote a weighting factor for quarter-pixel accuracy and a weighting factor for half-pixel accuracy, respectively. I₀ ^(k)[x, y] denotes a pixel value of the first prediction image with integer-pixel accuracy when k=0, and denotes a pixel value of the second prediction image with integer-pixel accuracy when k=1.

In the case of applying the motion compensation filter as expressed in equation (3) to top-left pixel 1122 in FIG. 14, the values of pixels aligned in each row in a horizontal direction in reference range 1131A are added up using weighting factors, and the result of adding the values of pixels in plural rows are further added up using weighting factors.

In this way, a motion compensation filter for top-left pixel 1122 refers to pixels in reference range 1131A in the present variation. Reference range 1131A is a rectangular range defined to include three columns of pixels at the left of top-left pixel 1122, four columns of pixels at the right of top-left pixel 1122, three rows of pixels above top-left pixel 1122, and four rows of pixels below top-left pixel 1122.

Such a motion compensation filter is applied to all the pixels in first prediction block 1120. Accordingly, pixels in first interpolation reference range 1130A are referred to by the motion compensation filter for first prediction block 1120.

A motion compensation filter is likewise applied to second prediction block 1220 as is applied to first prediction block 1120. In other words, pixels in reference range 1231A are referred to for top-left pixel 1222, and pixels in second interpolation reference range 1230A are referred to for the whole second prediction block 1220.

[Gradient Filter]

Next, a gradient filter will be described. FIG. 15 is a conceptual view for explaining examples of reference ranges for a gradient filter according to Variation 1 of Embodiment 2.

The gradient filter according to the present variation is a so-called 5-tap filter and is expressed by the following equations (4) and (5).

MATH. 4

I _(x) ^(k)[x,y]=E _(i=0) ⁴ w[i]I ₀ ^(k)[x−2+i,y]  (4)

MATH. 5

I _(x) ^(k)[x,y]=E _(j=0) ⁴ w[j]I ₀ ^(k)[x,y−2+j]  (5)

w=(2, −9,0,9, −2)

Here, I_(x) ^(k)[x,y] denotes a horizontal gradient value of each pixel in a first gradient image when k=0, and denotes a vertical gradient value of each pixel in a second gradient image when k=1. I_(y) ^(k)[x,y] denotes a horizontal gradient value of each pixel in the first gradient image when k=0, and denotes a vertical gradient value of each pixel in the second gradient image when k=1. w denotes a weighting factor.

In the case of applying the gradient filter as expressed by equations (4) and (5) to top-left pixel 1122 in FIG. 15, a horizontal gradient value is calculated by adding, using weighting factors, the pixel values of a prediction image with integer-pixel accuracy which are the values of five pixels that include top-left pixel 1122 and are aligned in a horizontal direction. In addition, a vertical gradient value is calculated by adding, using weighting factors, the pixel values of a prediction image with integer-pixel accuracy which are the values of five pixels that include top-left pixel 1122 and are aligned in a vertical direction. In such a case, with top-left pixel 1122 serving as a symmetric point, the weighting factors of a pixel located above top-left pixel 1122 and a pixel located below top-left pixel 1122 have the same value with opposite plus/minus signs. The same applies to the weighting factors of a pixel located at the left of top-left pixel 1122 and a pixel located at the right of top-left pixel 1122.

Thus, the gradient filter for top-left pixel 1122 refers to pixels in reference range 1132A in the present variation. Reference range 1132A has a shape of a cross that extends by two pixels from top-left pixel 1122 in both up-and-down and left-and-right directions.

Such a gradient filter is applied to all the pixels in first prediction block 1120. Accordingly, with the motion compensation filter for first prediction block 1120, pixels in first gradient reference range 1135A are referred to.

A gradient filter is likewise applied to second prediction block 1220 as is applied to first prediction block 1120. In other words, pixels in reference range 1232A are referred to for top-left pixel 1222, and pixels in second gradient reference range 1235A are referred to for the whole second prediction block 1220.

Note that when a motion vector that specifies a reference range indicates a sub-pixel position, pixel values in reference ranges 1132A and 1232A for a gradient filter may be transformed into pixel values with sub-pixel accuracy, and a gradient filter may be applied to the pixel values resulting from the transformation. Alternatively, a gradient filter, which has, as coefficient values, values obtained by convoluting coefficient values for the transformation into pixel values with sub-pixel accuracy and coefficient values for deriving a gradient value, may be applied to pixel values with integer-pixel accuracy. In this case, a gradient filter differs from a sub-pixel position to a sub-pixel position.

[Derivation of Local Motion Estimation Value on Per Sub-block Basis]

Next, the derivation of a local motion estimation value on a per sub-block basis will be described. Specifically, the following describes an example of the derivation of the local motion estimation value of a top-left sub-block among a plurality of sub-blocks included in a current block.

In the present variation, horizontal local motion estimation value u and vertical local motion estimation value v of a sub-block are derived based on the following equations (6).

MATH.6 $\begin{matrix} \left. \begin{matrix} {u = \frac{sG_{x}{dI}}{sG_{x}^{2}}} \\ {v = \frac{{sG_{y}{dI}} - {u*sG_{x}G_{y}}}{sG_{y}^{2}}} \end{matrix} \right\} & (6) \end{matrix}$

Here, sG_(x)G_(y), sG_(x) ², sG_(y) ², sG_(x)dI, and sG_(y)dI are values calculated on a per sub-block basis and are calculated, respectively, based on the following equations (7).

MATH.7 $\begin{matrix} \left. \begin{matrix} {{sG_{x}G_{y}} = {\sum\limits_{{\lbrack{i,j}\rbrack} \in \Omega}{{w\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack}*{G_{x}\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack}*{G_{y}\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack}}}} \\ {{sG}_{x}^{2} = {\sum\limits_{{\lbrack{i,j}\rbrack} \in \Omega}{{w\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack}*{G_{x}\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack}*{G_{x}\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack}}}} \\ {{sG}_{y}^{2} = {\sum\limits_{{\lbrack{i,j}\rbrack} \in \Omega}{{w\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack}*{G_{y}\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack}*{G_{y}\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack}}}} \\ {{{sG}_{x}{dI}} = {\sum\limits_{{\lbrack{i,j}\rbrack} \in \Omega}{{w\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack}*{G_{x}\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack}*\Delta{I\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack}}}} \\ {{{sG}_{y}{dI}} = {\sum\limits_{{\lbrack{i,j}\rbrack} \in \Omega}{{w\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack}*{G_{y}\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack}*\Delta{I\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack}}}} \end{matrix} \right\} & (7) \end{matrix}$

Here, S2 is a set of coordinates of all the pixels included in a prediction sub-block which is a region corresponding to sub-blocks in a prediction block. G_(x)[i,j] denotes a sum of a horizontal gradient value of the first gradient image and a horizontal gradient value of the second gradient image, whereas G_(y)[i,j] denotes a sum of a vertical gradient value of the first gradient image and a vertical gradient value of the second gradient image. ΔI[i,j] denotes a difference between the first prediction image and the second prediction image. w[i,j] denotes a weighting factor that depends on a pixel position in a prediction sub-block. For example, weighting factors having identical values may be used for all the pixels in a prediction sub-block.

Specifically, G_(x)[i,j], G_(y)[i,j], and ΔI[i,j] are expressed by the following equations (8).

MATH.8 $\begin{matrix} \left. \begin{matrix} {{G_{x}\left\lbrack {x,y} \right\rbrack} = {{I_{x}^{0}\left\lbrack {x,y} \right\rbrack} + {I_{x}^{1}\left\lbrack {x,y} \right\rbrack}}} \\ {{G_{y}\left\lbrack {x,y} \right\rbrack} = {{I_{y}^{0}\left\lbrack {x,y} \right\rbrack} + {I_{y}^{1}\left\lbrack {x,y} \right\rbrack}}} \\ {{\Delta{I\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack}} = {{I^{0}\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack} - {I^{1}\left\lbrack {i,j} \right\rbrack}}} \end{matrix} \right\} & (8) \end{matrix}$

As has been described above, a local motion estimation value is calculated on a per sub-block basis.

[Generation of Final Prediction Image]

Next, the generation of a final prediction image will be described. Each pixel value p[x, y] of a final prediction image is calculated based on the following equation (9) using pixel value I⁰[x, y] of the first prediction image and pixel value I¹[x, y] of the second prediction image.

MATH. 9

p[x,y]=(I ⁰[x,y]+I ¹[x,y]+b[x,y])>>1  (9)

Here, b[x, y] denotes a correction value of each pixel. In equation (9), each pixel value p[x, y] of a final prediction image is calculated by right shifting, by 1 bit, a sum of pixel value I⁰[x, y] of the first prediction image, pixel value I¹[x, y] of the second prediction image, and correction value b[x, y]. Note that correction value b[x, y] is expressed by the following equation (10).

MATH. 10

b[x,y]=u(I _(x) ⁰[x,y]−I _(x) ¹[x,y])+v(I _(y) ⁰[x,y]−I _(y) ¹[x,y])  (10)

In equation (10), correction value b[x, y] is calculated by adding a result of multiplying a difference between a horizontal gradient value of the first gradient image and a horizontal gradient value of the second gradient image (I_(x) ⁰[x, y]−I_(x) ¹[x, y]) with horizontal local motion estimation value (u), and a result of multiplying a difference between a vertical gradient value of the first gradient image and a vertical gradient value of the second gradient image (I_(x) ⁰[x, y]−I_(x) ¹[x, y]) with vertical local motion estimation value (v).

It should be noted that the arithmetic expressions described using equations (6) through (10) are examples, and different arithmetic expressions may be used provided that the expressions produce the same effects as those produced with equations (6) through (10).

Advantageous Effects, Etc.

As has been described above, it is possible to derive a local motion estimation value on a per sub-block basis even with the use of the compensation filter and the gradient filter according to the present variation. With the generation of a final prediction image for a current block, using the local motion estimation values thus derived on a per sub-block basis, it is possible to obtain the same advantageous effects as those obtained with above-described Embodiment 2.

This aspect may be implemented in combination with one or more of the other aspects according to the present disclosure. In addition, part of the process in the flowchart, part of the constituent elements of the apparatuses, and part of the syntax described in this aspect may be implemented in combination with other aspects.

Variation 2 Of Embodiment 2

In the above-described Embodiment 2 and Variation 1 thereof, all of pixels included in a prediction sub-block in a prediction block corresponding to sub-blocks in a current block are referred to in the derivation of a local motion estimation value, but the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to such. For example, only some of a plurality of pixels included in a prediction sub-block may be referred to.

In view of this, the present variation describes the case where only some of a plurality of pixels included in a prediction sub-block are referred to in the derivation of a local motion estimation value on a per sub-block basis. In equation (7) in above-described Variation 1, for example, a set of coordinates of some of pixels in a prediction sub-block is used instead of Ω which is a set of coordinates of all of pixels included in a prediction sub-block. Various patterns can be used as the set of coordinates of some of the pixels included in a prediction sub-block.

FIG. 16 illustrates pattern examples of pixels to be referred to in the derivation of a local motion estimation value according to Variation 2 of Embodiment 2. In FIG. 16, hatched circles in prediction sub-block 1121 or 1221 indicate pixels to be referred to whereas circles that are not hatched indicate pixels not to be referred to.

Each of seven pixel patterns (a) through (g) illustrates some of a plurality of pixels included in prediction sub-block 1121 or 1221. The seven pixel patterns are mutually different.

In (a) through (c) in FIG. 16, only eight pixels among sixteen pixels included in prediction sub-block 1121 or 1221 are referred to. In (d) through (g) in FIG. 16, only four pixels among sixteen pixels included in prediction sub-block 1121 or 1221 are referred to. In other words, eight out of sixteen pixels are thinned out in (a) thorough (c) whereas twelve out of sixteen pixels are thinned out in (d) through (g) in FIG. 16.

More specifically, in (a) in FIG. 16, eight pixels, which are in locations staggered by one pixel in horizontal and vertical directions, are referred to. In (b) in FIG. 16, a left pair and a right pair, each including two pixels aligned in a horizontal direction, are alternately referred to in a vertical direction. In (c) in FIG. 16, four pixels in the center and four pixels at the four corners of prediction sub-block 1121 or 1221 are referred to.

In (d) and (e) in FIG. 16, every two pixels, one in the first column and the other in the third column, from left, are referred to. In (f) in FIG. 16, four pixels located at the four corners are referred to. In (g) in FIG. 16, four pixels in the center are referred to.

A pixel pattern may be adaptively selected from among such predetermined pixel patterns based on two prediction images. For example, a pixel pattern that includes pixels as many as the number corresponding to a representative gradient value of two prediction images may be selected. Specifically, a pixel pattern that includes four pixels (e.g., any one of (d) through (g)) may be selected in the case where a representative gradient value is less than a threshold, and a pixel pattern that includes eight pixels (e.g., any one of (a) through (c)) may be selected in the case otherwise.

In the case where a pixel pattern is selected from among a plurality of pixel patterns, the local motion estimation value of a sub-block is derived by referring to pixels in a prediction sub-block which are indicated by the selected pixel pattern.

Note that information indicating the selected pixel pattern may be written into a bitstream. In this case, a decoder may obtain the information from the bitstream, and select a pixel pattern based on the obtained information. The information indicating the selected pixel pattern may be written into a header per block, slice, picture, or stream.

As has been described above, with the encoder and decoder according to the present embodiment, it is possible to derive a local motion estimation value on a per sub-block basis by referring only to some of a plurality of pixels included in a prediction sub-block. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce a processing load or a processing time more than the case where all the pixels are referred to.

With the encoder and decoder according to the present embodiment, it is possible to derive a local motion estimation value on a per-sub-block basis by referring only to pixels included in a pixel pattern selected from among a plurality of pixel patterns. Accordingly, it becomes possible to refer to pixels appropriate for the derivation of a local motion estimation value of a sub-block, by switching among the plurality of pixel patterns. This enables the reduction of prediction errors.

This aspect may be implemented in combination with one or more of the other aspects according to the present disclosure. In addition, part of the processes in the flowcharts, part of the constituent elements of the apparatuses, and part of the syntax described in this aspect may be implemented in combination with other aspects.

Other Variation of Embodiment 2

Although the encoder and decoder according to one or plural aspects of the present disclosure have been described based on the embodiments and variations thereof, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments and variations. Forms obtained by various modifications to each of the exemplary embodiments that can be conceived by a person of skill in the art as well as forms realized by arbitrarily combining structural components and functions in each of the exemplary embodiment which are within the scope of the essence of the present disclosure are included in the present disclosure.

For example, the number of taps for the motion compensation filter according to the above-described Embodiment 2 and Variation 1 thereof is eight pixels, but is not limited to such. The number of taps for the motion compensation filter may be any number provided that an interpolation reference range is included in a normal reference range.

Note that the number of taps for the gradient filter according to the above-described Embodiment 2 and Variation 1 thereof is six or five pixels, but is not limited to such. The number of taps for the gradient filter may be any number provided that a gradient reference range is included in an interpolation reference range.

It should be also noted that the first interpolation reference range and the second interpolation reference range are included in the first gradient reference range and the second gradient reference range, respectively, in the above-described Embodiment 2 and Variation 1 thereof, but are not limited to such. For example, the first gradient reference range may coincide with the first interpolation reference range, and the second gradient reference range may coincide with the second interpolation reference range.

When a local motion estimation value is derived on a per sub-block basis, pixel values in a prediction sub-block may be weighted so that the values of pixels closer to the center of the prediction sub-block have more priority than other pixels. In other words, in the derivation of a local motion estimation value, the values of a plurality of pixels included in a prediction sub-block may be weighted and used in each of the first and second prediction blocks. In that case, a weighting factor for a pixel, among the plurality of pixels, increases as the pixel is located closer to the center of a prediction sub-block. More specifically, in Variation 1 of Embodiment 2, for example, weighting factor w[i,j] in equation (7) may have a greater value as the coordinate value of a pixel is located closer to the center of a prediction sub-block.

When a local motion estimation value is derived on a per sub-block basis, pixels in another neighboring prediction sub-block that belongs to a same prediction block may also be referred to. In other words, in each of the first and second prediction blocks, a local motion estimation value may be derived on a per sub-block basis by referring not only to pixels included in a prediction sub-block but also to pixels included in another prediction sub-block that neighbors the prediction sub-block in the prediction block.

Note that reference ranges for the motion compensation filter and the gradient filter according to above-described Embodiment 2 and Variation 1 thereof are mere illustrations, and the reference ranges do not need to be limited to such.

In addition, seven pixel patterns are illustrated in above-described Variation 2 of Embodiment 2, but the number of pixel patterns is not limited to such. For example, pixel patterns obtained by rotating each of the seven pixel patterns may be used.

Note also that the values of the weighting factors according to above-described Variation 1 of Embodiment 2 are mere examples and are not limited to such. In addition, the sizes of a block and a sub-block according to above-described Embodiment 2 and each of the variations thereof are mere examples and are not limited to 8×8 and 4×4 pixel sizes. Even with different sizes, it is possible to perform inter prediction in the same manner as described in above-described Embodiment 2 and each of the variations thereof.

This aspect may be implemented in combination with one or more of the other aspects according to the present disclosure. In addition, part of the processes in the flowcharts, part of the constituent elements of the apparatuses, and part of the syntax described in this aspect may be implemented in combination with other aspects.

Embodiment 3

As described in each of the above embodiments, each functional block can typically be realized as an MPU and memory, for example. Moreover, processes performed by each of the functional blocks are typically realized by a program execution unit, such as a processor, reading and executing software (a program) recorded on a recording medium such as ROM. The software may be distributed via, for example, downloading, and may be recorded on a recording medium such as semiconductor memory and distributed. Note that each functional block can, of course, also be realized as hardware (dedicated circuit).

Moreover, the processing described in each of the embodiments may be realized via integrated processing using a single apparatus (system), and, alternatively, may be realized via decentralized processing using a plurality of apparatuses. Moreover, the processor that executes the above-described program may be a single processor or a plurality of processors. In other words, integrated processing may be performed, and, alternatively, decentralized processing may be performed.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the above exemplary embodiments; various modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments, the results of which are also included within the scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

Next, application examples of the moving picture encoding method (image encoding method) and the moving picture decoding method (image decoding method) described in each of the above embodiments and a system that employs the same will be described. The system is characterized as including an image encoder that employs the image encoding method, an image decoder that employs the image decoding method, and an image encoder/decoder that includes both the image encoder and the image decoder. Other configurations included in the system may be modified on a case-by-case basis.

[Usage Examples]

FIG. 17 illustrates an overall configuration of content providing system ex100 for implementing a content distribution service. The area in which the communication service is provided is divided into cells of desired sizes, and base stations ex106, ex107, ex108, ex109, and ex110, which are fixed wireless stations, are located in respective cells.

In content providing system ex100, devices including computer ex111, gaming device ex112, camera ex113, home appliance ex114, and smartphone ex115 are connected to internet ex101 via internet service provider ex102 or communications network ex104 and base stations ex106 through ex110. Content providing system ex100 may combine and connect any combination of the above elements. The devices may be directly or indirectly connected together via a telephone network or near field communication rather than via base stations ex106 through ex110, which are fixed wireless stations. Moreover, streaming server ex103 is connected to devices including computer ex111, gaming device ex112, camera ex113, home appliance ex114, and smartphone ex115 via, for example, internet ex101. Streaming server ex103 is also connected to, for example, a terminal in a hotspot in airplane ex117 via satellite ex116.

Note that instead of base stations ex106 through ex110, wireless access points or hotspots may be used. Streaming server ex103 may be connected to communications network ex104 directly instead of via internet ex101 or internet service provider ex102, and may be connected to airplane ex117 directly instead of via satellite ex116.

Camera ex113 is a device capable of capturing still images and video, such as a digital camera. Smartphone ex115 is a smartphone device, cellular phone, or personal handyphone system (PHS) phone that can operate under the mobile communications system standards of the typical 2G, 3G, 3.9G, and 4G systems, as well as the next-generation 5G system.

Home appliance ex118 is, for example, a refrigerator or a device included in a home fuel cell cogeneration system.

In content providing system ex100, a terminal including an image and/or video capturing function is capable of, for example, live streaming by connecting to streaming server ex103 via, for example, base station ex106. When live streaming, a terminal (e.g., computer ex111, gaming device ex112, camera ex113, home appliance ex114, smartphone ex115, or airplane ex117) performs the encoding processing described in the above embodiments on still-image or video content captured by a user via the terminal, multiplexes video data obtained via the encoding and audio data obtained by encoding audio corresponding to the video, and transmits the obtained data to streaming server ex103. In other words, the terminal functions as the image encoder according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

Streaming server ex103 streams transmitted content data to clients that request the stream. Client examples include computer ex111, gaming device ex112, camera ex113, home appliance ex114, smartphone ex115, and terminals inside airplane ex117, which are capable of decoding the above-described encoded data. Devices that receive the streamed data decode and reproduce the received data. In other words, the devices each function as the image decoder according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[Decentralized Processing]

Streaming server ex103 may be realized as a plurality of servers or computers between which tasks such as the processing, recording, and streaming of data are divided. For example, streaming server ex103 may be realized as a content delivery network (CDN) that streams content via a network connecting multiple edge servers located throughout the world. In a CDN, an edge server physically near the client is dynamically assigned to the client. Content is cached and streamed to the edge server to reduce load times. In the event of, for example, some kind of an error or a change in connectivity due to, for example, a spike in traffic, it is possible to stream data stably at high speeds since it is possible to avoid affected parts of the network by, for example, dividing the processing between a plurality of edge servers or switching the streaming duties to a different edge server, and continuing streaming.

Decentralization is not limited to just the division of processing for streaming; the encoding of the captured data may be divided between and performed by the terminals, on the server side, or both. In one example, in typical encoding, the processing is performed in two loops. The first loop is for detecting how complicated the image is on a frame-by-frame or scene-by-scene basis, or detecting the encoding load. The second loop is for processing that maintains image quality and improves encoding efficiency. For example, it is possible to reduce the processing load of the terminals and improve the quality and encoding efficiency of the content by having the terminals perform the first loop of the encoding and having the server side that received the content perform the second loop of the encoding. In such a case, upon receipt of a decoding request, it is possible for the encoded data resulting from the first loop performed by one terminal to be received and reproduced on another terminal in approximately real time. This makes it possible to realize smooth, real-time streaming.

In another example, camera ex113 or the like extracts a feature amount from an image, compresses data related to the feature amount as metadata, and transmits the compressed metadata to a server. For example, the server determines the significance of an object based on the feature amount and changes the quantization accuracy accordingly to perform compression suitable for the meaning of the image. Feature amount data is particularly effective in improving the precision and efficiency of motion vector prediction during the second compression pass performed by the server. Moreover, encoding that has a relatively low processing load, such as variable length coding (VLC), may be handled by the terminal, and encoding that has a relatively high processing load, such as context-adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC), may be handled by the server.

In yet another example, there are instances in which a plurality of videos of approximately the same scene are captured by a plurality of terminals in, for example, a stadium, shopping mall, or factory. In such a case, for example, the encoding may be decentralized by dividing processing tasks between the plurality of terminals that captured the videos and, if necessary, other terminals that did not capture the videos and the server, on a per-unit basis. The units may be, for example, groups of pictures (GOP), pictures, or tiles resulting from dividing a picture. This makes it possible to reduce load times and achieve streaming that is closer to real-time.

Moreover, since the videos are of approximately the same scene, management and/or instruction may be carried out by the server so that the videos captured by the terminals can be cross-referenced. Moreover, the server may receive encoded data from the terminals, change reference relationship between items of data or correct or replace pictures themselves, and then perform the encoding. This makes it possible to generate a stream with increased quality and efficiency for the individual items of data.

Moreover, the server may stream video data after performing transcoding to convert the encoding format of the video data. For example, the server may convert the encoding format from MPEG to VP, and may convert H.264 to H.265.

In this way, encoding can be performed by a terminal or one or more servers. Accordingly, although the device that performs the encoding is referred to as a “server” or “terminal” in the following description, some or all of the processes performed by the server may be performed by the terminal, and likewise some or all of the processes performed by the terminal may be performed by the server. This also applies to decoding processes.

[3D, Multi-Angle]

In recent years, usage of images or videos combined from images or videos of different scenes concurrently captured or the same scene captured from different angles by a plurality of terminals such as camera ex113 and/or smartphone ex115 has increased. Videos captured by the terminals are combined based on, for example, the separately-obtained relative positional relationship between the terminals, or regions in a video having matching feature points.

In addition to the encoding of two-dimensional moving pictures, the server may encode a still image based on scene analysis of a moving picture either automatically or at a point in time specified by the user, and transmit the encoded still image to a reception terminal. Furthermore, when the server can obtain the relative positional relationship between the video capturing terminals, in addition to two-dimensional moving pictures, the server can generate three-dimensional geometry of a scene based on video of the same scene captured from different angles. Note that the server may separately encode three-dimensional data generated from, for example, a point cloud, and may, based on a result of recognizing or tracking a person or object using three-dimensional data, select or reconstruct and generate a video to be transmitted to a reception terminal from videos captured by a plurality of terminals.

This allows the user to enjoy a scene by freely selecting videos corresponding to the video capturing terminals, and allows the user to enjoy the content obtained by extracting, from three-dimensional data reconstructed from a plurality of images or videos, a video from a selected viewpoint. Furthermore, similar to with video, sound may be recorded from relatively different angles, and the server may multiplex, with the video, audio from a specific angle or space in accordance with the video, and transmit the result.

In recent years, content that is a composite of the real world and a virtual world, such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) content, has also become popular. In the case of VR images, the server may create images from the viewpoints of both the left and right eyes and perform encoding that tolerates reference between the two viewpoint images, such as multi-view coding (MVC), and, alternatively, may encode the images as separate streams without referencing. When the images are decoded as separate streams, the streams may be synchronized when reproduced so as to recreate a virtual three-dimensional space in accordance with the viewpoint of the user.

In the case of AR images, the server superimposes virtual object information existing in a virtual space onto camera information representing a real-world space, based on a three-dimensional position or movement from the perspective of the user. The decoder may obtain or store virtual object information and three-dimensional data, generate two-dimensional images based on movement from the perspective of the user, and then generate superimposed data by seamlessly connecting the images. Alternatively, the decoder may transmit, to the server, motion from the perspective of the user in addition to a request for virtual object information, and the server may generate superimposed data based on three-dimensional data stored in the server in accordance with the received motion, and encode and stream the generated superimposed data to the decoder. Note that superimposed data includes, in addition to RGB values, an a value indicating transparency, and the server sets the a value for sections other than the object generated from three-dimensional data to, for example, 0, and may perform the encoding while those sections are transparent. Alternatively, the server may set the background to a predetermined RGB value, such as a chroma key, and generate data in which areas other than the object are set as the background.

Decoding of similarly streamed data may be performed by the client (i.e., the terminals), on the server side, or divided therebetween. In one example, one terminal may transmit a reception request to a server, the requested content may be received and decoded by another terminal, and a decoded signal may be transmitted to a device having a display. It is possible to reproduce high image quality data by decentralizing processing and appropriately selecting content regardless of the processing ability of the communications terminal itself. In yet another example, while a TV, for example, is receiving image data that is large in size, a region of a picture, such as a tile obtained by dividing the picture, may be decoded and displayed on a personal terminal or terminals of a viewer or viewers of the TV. This makes it possible for the viewers to share a big-picture view as well as for each viewer to check his or her assigned area or inspect a region in further detail up close.

In the future, both indoors and outdoors, in situations in which a plurality of wireless connections are possible over near, mid, and far distances, it is expected to be able to seamlessly receive content even when switching to data appropriate for the current connection, using a streaming system standard such as MPEG-DASH. With this, the user can switch between data in real time while freely selecting a decoder or display apparatus including not only his or her own terminal, but also, for example, displays disposed indoors or outdoors. Moreover, based on, for example, information on the position of the user, decoding can be performed while switching which terminal handles decoding and which terminal handles the displaying of content. This makes it possible to, while in route to a destination, display, on the wall of a nearby building in which a device capable of displaying content is embedded or on part of the ground, map information while on the move. Moreover, it is also possible to switch the bit rate of the received data based on the accessibility to the encoded data on a network, such as when encoded data is cached on a server quickly accessible from the reception terminal or when encoded data is copied to an edge server in a content delivery service.

[Scalable Encoding]

The switching of content will be described with reference to a scalable stream, illustrated in FIG. 18, which is compression coded via implementation of the moving picture encoding method described in the above embodiments. The server may have a configuration in which content is switched while making use of the temporal and/or spatial scalability of a stream, which is achieved by division into and encoding of layers, as illustrated in FIG. 18. Note that there may be a plurality of individual streams that are of the same content but different quality. In other words, by determining which layer to decode up to based on internal factors, such as the processing ability on the decoder side, and external factors, such as communication bandwidth, the decoder side can freely switch between low resolution content and high resolution content while decoding. For example, in a case in which the user wants to continue watching, at home on a device such as a TV connected to the internet, a video that he or she had been previously watching on smartphone ex115 while on the move, the device can simply decode the same stream up to a different layer, which reduces server side load.

Furthermore, in addition to the configuration described above in which scalability is achieved as a result of the pictures being encoded per layer and the enhancement layer is above the base layer, the enhancement layer may include metadata based on, for example, statistical information on the image, and the decoder side may generate high image quality content by performing super-resolution imaging on a picture in the base layer based on the metadata. Super-resolution imaging may be improving the SN ratio while maintaining resolution and/or increasing resolution. Metadata includes information for identifying a linear or a non-linear filter coefficient used in super-resolution processing, or information identifying a parameter value in filter processing, machine learning, or least squares method used in super-resolution processing.

Alternatively, a configuration in which a picture is divided into, for example, tiles in accordance with the meaning of, for example, an object in the image, and on the decoder side, only a partial region is decoded by selecting a tile to decode, is also acceptable. Moreover, by storing an attribute about the object (person, car, ball, etc.) and a position of the object in the video (coordinates in identical images) as metadata, the decoder side can identify the position of a desired object based on the metadata and determine which tile or tiles include that object. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 19, metadata is stored using a data storage structure different from pixel data such as an SEI message in HEVC. This metadata indicates, for example, the position, size, or color of the main object.

Moreover, metadata may be stored in units of a plurality of pictures, such as stream, sequence, or random access units. With this, the decoder side can obtain, for example, the time at which a specific person appears in the video, and by fitting that with picture unit information, can identify a picture in which the object is present and the position of the object in the picture.

[Web Page Optimization]

FIG. 20 illustrates an example of a display screen of a web page on, for example, computer ex111. FIG. 21 illustrates an example of a display screen of a web page on, for example, smartphone ex115. As illustrated in FIG. 20 and FIG. 21, a web page may include a plurality of image links which are links to image content, and the appearance of the web page differs depending on the device used to view the web page. When a plurality of image links are viewable on the screen, until the user explicitly selects an image link, or until the image link is in the approximate center of the screen or the entire image link fits in the screen, the display apparatus (decoder) displays, as the image links, still images included in the content or I pictures, displays video such as an animated gif using a plurality of still images or I pictures, for example, or receives only the base layer and decodes and displays the video.

When an image link is selected by the user, the display apparatus decodes giving the highest priority to the base layer. Note that if there is information in the HTML code of the web page indicating that the content is scalable, the display apparatus may decode up to the enhancement layer. Moreover, in order to guarantee real time reproduction, before a selection is made or when the bandwidth is severely limited, the display apparatus can reduce delay between the point in time at which the leading picture is decoded and the point in time at which the decoded picture is displayed (that is, the delay between the start of the decoding of the content to the displaying of the content) by decoding and displaying only forward reference pictures (I picture, P picture, forward reference B picture). Moreover, the display apparatus may purposely ignore the reference relationship between pictures and coarsely decode all B and P pictures as forward reference pictures, and then perform normal decoding as the number of pictures received over time increases.

[Autonomous Driving]

When transmitting and receiving still image or video data such two- or three-dimensional map information for autonomous driving or assisted driving of an automobile, the reception terminal may receive, in addition to image data belonging to one or more layers, information on, for example, the weather or road construction as metadata, and associate the metadata with the image data upon decoding. Note that metadata may be assigned per layer and, alternatively, may simply be multiplexed with the image data.

In such a case, since the automobile, drone, airplane, etc., including the reception terminal is mobile, the reception terminal can seamlessly receive and decode while switching between base stations among base stations ex106 through ex110 by transmitting information indicating the position of the reception terminal upon reception request. Moreover, in accordance with the selection made by the user, the situation of the user, or the bandwidth of the connection, the reception terminal can dynamically select to what extent the metadata is received or to what extent the map information, for example, is up dated.

With this, in content providing system ex100, the client can receive, decode, and reproduce, in real time, encoded information transmitted by the user.

[Streaming of Individual Content]

In content providing system ex100, in addition to high image quality, long content distributed by a video distribution entity, unicast or multicast streaming of low image quality, short content from an individual is also possible. Moreover, such content from individuals is likely to further increase in popularity. The server may first perform editing processing on the content before the encoding processing in order to refine the individual content. This may be achieved with, for example, the following configuration.

In real-time while capturing video or image content or after the content has been captured and accumulated, the server performs recognition processing based on the raw or encoded data, such as capture error processing, scene search processing, meaning analysis, and/or object detection processing. Then, based on the result of the recognition processing, the server—either when prompted or automatically—edits the content, examples of which include: correction such as focus and/or motion blur correction; removing low-priority scenes such as scenes that are low in brightness compared to other pictures or out of focus; object edge adjustment; and color tone adjustment. The server encodes the edited data based on the result of the editing. It is known that excessively long videos tend to receive fewer views. Accordingly, in order to keep the content within a specific length that scales with the length of the original video, the server may, in addition to the low-priority scenes described above, automatically clip out scenes with low movement based on an image processing result. Alternatively, the server may generate and encode a video digest based on a result of an analysis of the meaning of a scene.

Note that there are instances in which individual content may include content that infringes a copyright, moral right, portrait rights, etc. Such an instance may lead to an unfavorable situation for the creator, such as when content is shared beyond the scope intended by the creator. Accordingly, before encoding, the server may, for example, edit images so as to blur faces of people in the periphery of the screen or blur the inside of a house, for example. Moreover, the server may be configured to recognize the faces of people other than a registered person in images to be encoded, and when such faces appear in an image, for example, apply a mosaic filter to the face of the person. Alternatively, as pre- or post-processing for encoding, the user may specify, for copyright reasons, a region of an image including a person or a region of the background be processed, and the server may process the specified region by, for example, replacing the region with a different image or blurring the region. If the region includes a person, the person may be tracked in the moving picture the head region may be replaced with another image as the person moves.

Moreover, since there is a demand for real-time viewing of content produced by individuals, which tends to be small in data size, the decoder first receives the base layer as the highest priority and performs decoding and reproduction, although this may differ depending on bandwidth. When the content is reproduced two or more times, such as when the decoder receives the enhancement layer during decoding and reproduction of the base layer and loops the reproduction, the decoder may reproduce a high image quality video including the enhancement layer. If the stream is encoded using such scalable encoding, the video may be low quality when in an unselected state or at the start of the video, but it can offer an experience in which the image quality of the stream progressively increases in an intelligent manner. This is not limited to just scalable encoding; the same experience can be offered by configuring a single stream from a low quality stream reproduced for the first time and a second stream encoded using the first stream as a reference.

[Other Usage Examples]

The encoding and decoding may be performed by LSI ex500, which is typically included in each terminal. LSI ex500 may be configured of a single chip or a plurality of chips. Software for encoding and decoding moving pictures may be integrated into some type of a recording medium (such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk, or a hard disk) that is readable by, for example, computer ex111, and the encoding and decoding may be performed using the software. Furthermore, when smartphone ex115 is equipped with a camera, the video data obtained by the camera may be transmitted. In this case, the video data is coded by LSI ex500 included in smartphone ex115.

Note that LSI ex500 may be configured to download and activate an application. In such a case, the terminal first determines whether it is compatible with the scheme used to encode the content or whether it is capable of executing a specific service. When the terminal is not compatible with the encoding scheme of the content or when the terminal is not capable of executing a specific service, the terminal first downloads a codec or application software then obtains and reproduces the content.

Aside from the example of content providing system ex100 that uses internet ex101, at least the moving picture encoder (image encoder) or the moving picture decoder (image decoder) described in the above embodiments may be implemented in a digital broadcasting system. The same encoding processing and decoding processing may be applied to transmit and receive broadcast radio waves superimposed with multiplexed audio and video data using, for example, a satellite, even though this is geared toward multicast whereas unicast is easier with content providing system ex100.

[Hardware Configuration]

FIG. 22 illustrates smartphone ex115. FIG. 23 illustrates a configuration example of smartphone ex115. Smartphone ex115 includes antenna ex450 for transmitting and receiving radio waves to and from base station ex110, camera ex465 capable of capturing video and still images, and display ex458 that displays decoded data, such as video captured by camera ex465 and video received by antenna ex450. Smartphone ex115 further includes user interface ex466 such as a touch panel, audio output unit ex457 such as a speaker for outputting speech or other audio, audio input unit ex456 such as a microphone for audio input, memory ex467 capable of storing decoded data such as captured video or still images, recorded audio, received video or still images, and mail, as well as decoded data, and slot ex464 which is an interface for SIM ex468 for authorizing access to a network and various data. Note that external memory may be used instead of memory ex467.

Moreover, main controller ex460 which comprehensively controls display ex458 and user interface ex466, power supply circuit ex461, user interface input controller ex462, video signal processor ex455, camera interface ex463, display controller ex459, modulator/demodulator ex452, multiplexer/demultiplexer ex453, audio signal processor ex454, slot ex464, and memory ex467 are connected via bus ex470.

When the user turns the power button of power supply circuit ex461 on, smartphone ex115 is powered on into an operable state by each component being supplied with power from a battery pack.

Smartphone ex115 performs processing for, for example, calling and data transmission, based on control performed by main controller ex460, which includes a CPU, ROM, and RAM. When making calls, an audio signal recorded by audio input unit ex456 is converted into a digital audio signal by audio signal processor ex454, and this is applied with spread spectrum processing by modulator/demodulator ex452 and digital-analog conversion and frequency conversion processing by transmitter/receiver ex451, and then transmitted via antenna ex450. The received data is amplified, frequency converted, and analog-digital converted, inverse spread spectrum processed by modulator/demodulator ex452, converted into an analog audio signal by audio signal processor ex454, and then output from audio output unit ex457. In data transmission mode, text, still-image, or video data is transmitted by main controller ex460 via user interface input controller ex462 as a result of operation of, for example, user interface ex466 of the main body, and similar transmission and reception processing is performed. In data transmission mode, when sending a video, still image, or video and audio, video signal processor ex455 compression encodes, via the moving picture encoding method described in the above embodiments, a video signal stored in memory ex467 or a video signal input from camera ex465, and transmits the encoded video data to multiplexer/demultiplexer ex453. Moreover, audio signal processor ex454 encodes an audio signal recorded by audio input unit ex456 while camera ex465 is capturing, for example, a video or still image, and transmits the encoded audio data to multiplexer/demultiplexer ex453. Multiplexer/demultiplexer ex453 multiplexes the encoded video data and encoded audio data using a predetermined scheme, modulates and converts the data using modulator/demodulator (modulator/demodulator circuit) ex452 and transmitter/receiver ex451, and transmits the result via antenna ex450.

When video appended in an email or a chat, or a video linked from a web page, for example, is received, in order to decode the multiplexed data received via antenna ex450, multiplexer/demultiplexer ex453 demultiplexes the multiplexed data to divide the multiplexed data into a bitstream of video data and a bitstream of audio data, supplies the encoded video data to video signal processor ex455 via synchronous bus ex470, and supplies the encoded audio data to audio signal processor ex454 via synchronous bus ex470. Video signal processor ex455 decodes the video signal using a moving picture decoding method corresponding to the moving picture encoding method described in the above embodiments, and video or a still image included in the linked moving picture file is displayed on display ex458 via display controller ex459. Moreover, audio signal processor ex454 decodes the audio signal and outputs audio from audio output unit ex457. Note that since real-time streaming is becoming more and more popular, there are instances in which reproduction of the audio may be socially inappropriate depending on the user's environment. Accordingly, as an initial value, a configuration in which only video data is reproduced, i.e., the audio signal is not reproduced, is preferable. Audio may be synchronized and reproduced only when an input, such as when the user clicks video data, is received.

Although smartphone ex115 was used in the above example, three implementations are conceivable: a transceiver terminal including both an encoder and a decoder; a transmitter terminal including only an encoder; and a receiver terminal including only a decoder. Further, in the description of the digital broadcasting system, an example is given in which multiplexed data obtained as a result of video data being multiplexed with, for example, audio data, is received or transmitted, but the multiplexed data may be video data multiplexed with data other than audio data, such as text data related to the video. Moreover, the video data itself rather than multiplexed data maybe received or transmitted.

Although main controller ex460 including a CPU is described as controlling the encoding or decoding processes, terminals often include GPUs. Accordingly, a configuration is acceptable in which a large area is processed at once by making use of the performance ability of the GPU via memory shared by the CPU and GPU or memory including an address that is managed so as to allow common usage by the CPU and GPU. This makes it possible to shorten encoding time, maintain the real-time nature of the stream, and reduce delay. In particular, processing relating to motion estimation, deblocking filtering, sample adaptive offset (SAO), and transformation/quantization can be effectively carried out by the GPU instead of the CPU in units of, for example pictures, all at once.

Although only some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the present disclosure. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present disclosure is applicable to, for example, television receivers, digital video recorders, car navigation systems, mobile phones, digital cameras, and digital video cameras. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An encoder that encodes a current block in a current picture, the encoder comprising: a processor; and memory, wherein using the memory, the processor: in a first inter prediction mode that derives a first final prediction image without using local motion estimation, obtains a first prediction image with sub-pixel accuracy for the current block by referring to pixels in a first normal reference range in a first reference picture referred to for the current block; obtains a second prediction image with sub-pixel accuracy for the current block by referring to pixels in a second normal reference range in a second reference picture referred to for the current block; and generates the first final prediction image for the current block using the first prediction image and the second prediction image; and in a second inter prediction mode that derives a second final prediction image using local motion estimation, obtains a third prediction image with sub-pixel accuracy for the current block by referring to pixels in a first interpolation reference range in the first reference picture; obtains a fourth prediction image with sub-pixel accuracy for the current block by referring to pixels in a second interpolation reference range in the second reference picture; obtains a first gradient image including first gradient values of pixels included in the first reference picture, the first gradient values generated based on the pixels in the first interpolation reference range; obtains a second gradient image including second gradient values of pixels included in the second reference picture, the second gradient values generated based on the pixels in the second interpolation reference range; derives a local motion estimation value for each of sub-blocks based on the third and fourth prediction images and the first and second gradient images, the sub-blocks being obtained by partitioning the current block; and generates the second final prediction image for the current block using the third and fourth prediction images and the local motion estimation value derived for each of the sub-blocks, wherein the first and second interpolation reference ranges are included in the first and second normal reference ranges, respectively, such that the second inter prediction mode is performed using pixel data for the first and second normal reference ranges and without loading additional pixel data for the first and second interpolation reference ranges that is newer than the pixel data for the first and second normal reference ranges, wherein the first gradient values and the second gradient values indicate horizontal gradients.
 2. A decoder that decodes a current block in a current picture, the decoder comprising: a processor; and memory, wherein using the memory, the processor: in a first inter prediction mode that derives a first final prediction image without using local motion estimation, obtains a first prediction image with sub-pixel accuracy for the current block by referring to pixels in a first normal reference range in a first reference picture referred to for the current block; obtains a second prediction image with sub-pixel accuracy for the current block by referring to pixels in a second normal reference range in a second reference picture referred to for the current block; and generates the first final prediction image for the current block using the first prediction image and the second prediction image; and in a second inter prediction mode that derives a second final prediction image using local motion estimation, obtains a third prediction image with sub-pixel accuracy for the current block by referring to pixels in a first interpolation reference range in the first reference picture; obtains a fourth prediction image with sub-pixel accuracy for the current block by referring to pixels in a second interpolation reference range in the second reference picture; obtains a first gradient image including first gradient values of pixels included in the first reference picture, the first gradient values generated based on the pixels in the first interpolation reference range; obtains a second gradient image including second gradient values of pixels included in the second reference picture, the second gradient values generated based on the pixels in the second interpolation reference range; derives a local motion estimation value for each of sub-blocks based on the third and fourth prediction images and the first and second gradient images, the sub-blocks being obtained by partitioning the current block; and generates the second final prediction image for the current block using the third and fourth prediction images and the local motion estimation value derived for each of the sub-blocks, wherein the first and second interpolation reference ranges are included in the first and second normal reference ranges, respectively, such that the second inter prediction mode is performed using pixel data for the first and second normal reference ranges and without loading additional pixel data for the first and second interpolation reference ranges that is newer than the pixel data for the first and second normal reference ranges, wherein the first gradient values and the second gradient values indicate horizontal gradients.
 3. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium for use in a computer, the recording medium having a computer program recorded thereon for causing the computer to execute: in a first inter prediction mode that derives a first final prediction image without using local motion estimation, obtaining a first prediction image with sub-pixel accuracy for a current block by referring to pixels in a first normal reference range in a first reference picture referred to for the current block; obtaining a second prediction image with sub-pixel accuracy for the current block by referring to pixels in a second normal reference range in a second reference picture referred to for the current block; and generating the first final prediction image for the current block using the first prediction image and the second prediction image; and in a second inter prediction mode that derives a second final prediction image using local motion estimation, obtaining a third prediction image with sub-pixel accuracy for the current block by referring to pixels in a first interpolation reference range in the first reference picture; obtaining a fourth prediction image with sub-pixel accuracy for the current block by referring to pixels in a second interpolation reference range in the second reference picture; obtaining a first gradient image including first gradient values of pixels included in the first reference picture, the first gradient values generated based on the pixels in the first interpolation reference range; obtaining a second gradient image including second gradient values of pixels included in the second reference picture, the second gradient values generated based on the pixels in the second interpolation reference range; deriving a local motion estimation value for each of sub-blocks based on the third and fourth prediction images and the first and second gradient images, the sub-blocks being obtained by partitioning the current block; and generating the second final prediction image for the current block using the third and fourth prediction images and the local motion estimation value derived for each of the sub-blocks, wherein the first and second interpolation reference ranges are included in the first and second normal reference ranges, respectively, such that the second inter prediction mode is performed using pixel data for the first and second normal reference ranges and without loading additional pixel data for the first and second interpolation reference ranges that is newer than the pixel data for the first and second normal reference ranges, wherein the first gradient values and the second gradient values indicate horizontal gradients. 